Step-ladder



(No Model.)

G. W. & S. D. HATOHER.

STEP LADDER. ,No. 397,913. Patented Feb. 1-9, 1889.

N. PETERS. Pmwum n mr. Wauhlnghn. 0.6.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE \V. IIATCIIER AND SINGLETON D. IIATGIIER, OF CLEVELAND, OIIIO.

STEP-LADDER.

SFECIFICATION- forming part of Letters Patent No. 397,913, dated February 19, 1889.

Application filed May 25, 1888. Serial No. 275,049. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, GEORGE W. HATCHER and SINGLETON D. HATCHER, of Cleveland, in.

the county of uyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Step-Ladders; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

Our invention relates to improvements in step-ladders in which the top ends of the side rails and legs engage each other above the pir'otal line of the legs to limit the distention of the latter. A brace-rod pivotally connected to the cross-bar of the legs has an offset that falls by gravity behind the opposing tread to hold the legs distended.

\Vith these objects in view our invention consists in certain features of construction and in combination of parts hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

The accompanying drawing is a side elevation in section, showing in solid and in dotted lines, respectively, the ladder distended and folded.

A represents the side rails, to which the treads are attached, and B the legs, tlxelatter having suitable braces and cross-bars. The upper ends of the side rails are re-enforced on the outside by strips 0, usuallybf wood and of considerable width, these strips extending some distance rearward to support the top tread or landing, u.

The members (i may be of metal, if preferred. On the inside of the treads and opposite the lower portion of strips 0 are straps C, the latter being preferably of metal. Between strips (7 and straps C are pivoted the legs by means of lateral belts or pins 0, the latter being located some inches below the upper end of the side rails and legs.

In distending the legs the opposing edges of the legs and side rails above the pivotal line of the legs engage each other, and the engaging edges are beveled off, sul'istantially as shown, to allow the bottom of the legs to spread away from the bottom of the side rails, so as to form abroad base for the step-ladder.

To brace or hold the legs in their distended position, we provide rod D, this rod being pivotally connected with cross-bar b of the legs, the connection being preferably a staple, I), engaging an eye, 1), of the red, the staple of clinched. The forward section of rod 1) is offset'upward at (Z, and the extreme end thereof is bent back to form a hook end, (1'. The length of rod D is such that when the legs are by gravity behind the rear edge of the opposing tread, a, and holds the legs in their distended position. A staple, E, is placed astride the rod D and driven into the rear upper corthe hook end (1 of the rod, prevents the latter from dropping too far. Staple E embraces rod D loosely, but confines the rod laterally within proper limits. In folding the legs right hand of the drawing) first the forward end of rod D is raised until the body of the rod engages the under side of the staple. This brings the line of the rod above the turn upward in folding the legs. Cross-bar b, as shown, is a little lower down than tread a, and the length of rodD is such that it does not come in contact with the tread next above in folding the latter. form, F, is constructed as follows: The shelf is secured to side arm, G, the latter, about midway thereof, being pivoted at g to the legs. The arrangement of parts is such that mately a horizontal position the free ends of arms G engage the under side of the opposite tread, and when the shelf is folded up the upper edge of the shelf may pass under the top tread. making rod D too short, the rod is likely to be made a trifle long, and in such case the rear edge of tread a. is notched or cut away for instance, as shown at a until the rod will distended.

\Vhat we claim is- 1. In a step-lader, the combination, with side rails and treads, of legs pivoted or hinged course being driven through bar I) and distended the offset portion d of the rod falls ner of tread a, and the staple, by engaging against the side rails (see dotted lines at the tread, so that the rod may travel forward and A folding shelf or platwhen the shelf turned down to approxi- In practice, in guarding against fall by gravity to its place when the legs are to the side rails or an attachment of the lat- I0 ter, the sections of the side rails and legs above the pivotal line of the legs engaging each other when the legs are distended to limit such distention, a rod pivoted to a crossbar on the legs, the opposite end of this bar having an offset extending loosely through. a notch in one 011' the treads, said ol'tset having a hook onits end to limitits downward movement, and a staple spanning the notch ol the tread, substantially as set forth.

2. In a step-ladder, the combination, with sides, treads, strap projecting from the sides, and legs pivoted to the ends of the strap with their ends in position to abut against the ends of the sides when the ladder is distended, ol? a rod pivoted to a ero, -bar lmtween the legs,

said rod having an olfset at the opposite end and a hook on the end of the ol'fsei, thelatter adapted to pass through a notch in one of the treads, a staple to hold said oflset slidingly within the noteh, and a folding shell secured to arms, the latter being pivoted near their center to the with their opposite ends extended beneath one of the treads, all of these parts being arranged to operate sin'niltaneonsly with the opening or elosing of the ladders, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof-we sign this srmcilication, in the preseneeot two witnesses, this 9th daw of l tdiriiary, 1888.

GEORGE \V. HAJTUHER. SING JETON D. HATCHER.

\Y itnesses:

(hills. ll. Donne, A'IJB'ER'I LYNCH. 

